Karthigai Deepam

Now it is the Tamil month ‘Karthigai’. Whenever I think of this month, the first thing that comes to my mind is ‘Karthigai Deepam’ festival. There is a Tamil movie song that starts with the line ‘Deepangal pesum thirukkarthigai maasam..' which means 'it is the month in which the flames lit in the earthen lamps talk' . Sharing with you some details about this festival which I heard, read and which I feel...

‘Karthigai Deepam’ is the ‘festival of lights’ celebrated in Tamil Nadu during the Tamil Month ‘Karthigai’ (from mid November to mid December) on a full moon day when the star ‘Krithikai’ is on the ascendant.

It is one of the ancient festivals celebrated in the state.

'Agananuru', a classical Tamil poetic work, which dates back to the Sangam age (200 BC to 300 AD) even has reference to this festival. Tolkappiam, the oldest available work in Tamil literarature (2000 or 2500 BC) has reference to this festival.

In this festival, rows of agal vizhakku(oil lit earthen lamps) are lit in front of the houses. People draw Kolam (Rangoli) in front of their houses in the evening and place the lamps on the Kolams and decorate. If you walk in the evening, you can see rows of deepam lit on either side of the road which will make the place look divine.The lit vizhakku is considered auspicious. 

In Hindu religion, litting a vizhakku (lamp) is a part of worship. In Vedic literature, an earthen lamp is considered to be a manifestation of yagna, which is a ritual performed by igniting the sacred fire.

A lighted earthen lamp is considered to be one of the most purest objects in Vedic rituals. It is worshipped as a symbol of cosmic energy.

This festival is variously known as Karthigai Deepam, Vishnu Deepam and Bharani Deepam.

Once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu each considered himself Supreme. So Lord Siva appeared as a huge flame (Maha Deepam) in front of them and said that it can be tested if they can find  his head and feet.  

Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar (varaga avatar) and delved deep into the earth to see Siva’s feet, Lord Brahma that of a (Annam) swan and flew towards the skies to see Siva’s head. Lord Vishnu failed in his search and returned. But Lord Brahma, saw a piece of `Thazhambu`, a flower, heard from it that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Siva's head. He seized upon this and claimed to Lord Siva that he had seen the other's top. 

Lord Siva realized the falsehood and announced that there would never be a temple for Lord Brahma in this world . He also said that the flower thazhambu will not be used in his worship. Lord Eswaran (Siva), Arunachaleswarar,  appeared as a flame, this day is called Maha Dheepam.

Karthigai festival in Thiruvannamalai hills is very famous. A huge vizhakku lit there is visible for several kilometers and is called ‘Maha Deepam’. 

It is told that the Thiruvannamalai hill was once a volcano and fire used to come out of its mouth. The mountain itself is considered as ‘Jothi Pilambu’ (flame of fire) and worshipped as Eswaran.

Karthigai Deepam is celebrated for 10 days in the temple town. Bharani Deepam is lit early in the morning on the final day of the festival. And Maha Deepam is lit in the evening.

 Devotees of Lord Vishnu, Vaishnavas, celebrate this festival, as ‘Vishnu Deepam’.

'Chokka Panai' is the lighting of the bonfire in temples, houses and streets during this festival. Apart from lighting numerous earthen lamps, bonfire is also created.The bonfire is created both by Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu devotees. 

The reason for the festival is based on Lord Vamana (Lord Thrivikrama) incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vamana sending King Bali to the underworld is the basis of Vishnu Deepam. It is said that the two steps of Lord Vamana are the Uttarayan and vernal equinox. And the third step which sends Bali to the underworld is the autumn equinox. The bonfire lit on Vishnu Deepam is said to signify this event.

Vishnu Deepam is also observed as 'Yanai Pandigai' by some communities in South India.

Special Pujas are also done to Lord Muruga on Karthigai Deepam day.

‘Karthigai’ is the birth star of Lord Muruga and that is why he has the other name as ‘Karthikeyan’.The lord of Karthigai month is Mars which signifies Lord Muruga.

Lord Muruga is said to have been created from the sparks from Lord Siva's third eye (netrikkan).Vayu and Agni Deva carried the sparks and dropped it in the Ganges which was carried to the Saravana Poigai. Six babies arose from the sparks and six children were brought up by six women known as 'Karthigai Pengal'.

 On this Karthigai Deepam day, Parvati (his mother) united all his six forms and so Lord Muruga has six faces.He is also called 'Shanmukha' signifying his six faces.The month ‘Karthigai’ comes in autumn season (kuzhir kalam) The climate will be cold in this month.And in the evenings, it will become dark soon. So there may also be a scientific reason for litting agal vizhakkus, (i.e.) to generate some heat and to bring light.

Wish you all a very happy Karthigai month!